Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Even Free, You Don’t Want It?

”It was painted by his scholar.” Su Qian pointed to the first three paintings, ”These three were all painted by his scholar, only this one was painted by that scholar.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Yu showed a flash of surprise: ”If a scholar can copy to such a standard, that scholar’s painting skills must be very high, right?”

”Not really that high!”

Just then, a white-robed person emerged from the tower.

This person had distinguished features, fair skin, and flowing long hair, appearing even more graceful than the scholar as portrayed by Chu Ming.

”Brother, why did you come out?” Su Qian asked, turning around.

Chu Yu also looked over quickly, clasping his hands in greeting: ”Brother Su.”

Su Zhe raised his hand, lightly arranging Su Qian’s hair in front of her forehead, speaking warmly: ”Though my sister’s eye is not bad, these paintings aren’t particularly skillful, but they have appealing points.”

As he spoke, he also greeted Chu Yu with a clasped hand: ”Young Master Chu.”

However, in contrast to Chu Yu’s slight bow while greeting, Su Zhe’s reciprocation appeared somewhat aloof, involving only his hands, his gaze never wavering towards Chu Yu.

What was most surprising was that Chu Yu, a well-known wealthy merchant in Baiyuan County, seemed unfazed, maintaining a smile on his face.

Su Zhe first pointed to the fourth painting, speaking calmly: ”This painting, though a copy, made its own decisions, painting its own ideas in some detailed places.”

”The original landscape essence of the painting was a seamless whole, but this person’s additions completely destroyed that mood.”

Su Zhe pointed at some places on the fourth painting as he spoke.

Those places were exactly the ones modified by Chu Ming.

Though his tone was very calm, Chu Yu and Su Qian could still detect that hint of disdain.

Su Qian’s face slightly reddened, as she had taken the painting precisely for those innovative parts.

”Brother, I...”

”Haha, it’s fine, it’s just a painting, it’s normal for you to misjudge occasionally.” Su Zhe moved his gaze off the fourth painting and onto the first three.

Only to see him adopting a pondering expression, with a flicker of doubt passing through his eyes.

”Brother, you mentioned appealing points, are you referring to these three identical paintings?” Su Qian curiously asked.

Identical?

Chu Yu picked up on something, focused his gaze on the three paintings.

Looking individually, these three copy paintings are quite ordinary, at most with commendable poem additions, but when viewed together...

”These three paintings, aside from the poem additions, are truly identical!”

The more he looked, the more startled he became.

How could someone produce three completely identical copy paintings?

”Miss Su, were these three paintings really copied by that scholar?” Chu Yu’s eyes sparkled.

Su Qian nodded.

Su Zhe smiled and said: ”Hence, my sister’s vision is quite unique, individually these paintings are nothing, but together, they are stunning works!”

As he spoke, he looked out of the tower: ”That little scholar’s talent in painting may be higher than yours, sister.”

Upon hearing this, Su Qian’s lips slightly moved, as though she wanted to prove herself.

But upon careful thought, she realized she truly could not produce two identical paintings.

Su Zhe patted Su Qian’s hair and remarked: ”Even though from a common perspective, these three paintings look identical, in my eyes, there are differences.”

This he said very calmly, yet Su Qian and Chu Yu still sensed a unique arrogance belonging to a master.

”How many silver taels were paid for these paintings?” Su Zhe asked.

”Twenty-one taels for four paintings together.”

”Twenty-one taels...” Su Zhe turned and smiled at Chu Yu: ”Young Master Chu, wasn’t it you who wanted to sell these paintings just now? For the three, fifty taels and I’ll include the fourth one, how about it?”

Did I mention buying?

Also, you siblings discussed the purchase price right in front of me and then turned around and raised it to fifty taels, isn’t that a bit over the top?

Our Chu family business has never... Well, it seems similar.

Chu Yu slightly bowed, clasping his hands: ”Fifty taels seems a bit unworthy of Brother Su’s praise for these paintings, I offer sixty taels to buy these three paintings.”

”Then let me thank Young Master Chu.” Su Zhe still replied calmly.

Chu Yu waved his hand outside, and Wu Tian led the guards in, taking out the silver from his arms.

Su Qian carefully packed up the three identical paintings, while the fourth was casually rolled up and placed beside the other three.

”Brother Su, I have one more thing.”

Upon completing the transaction, Chu Yu did not depart but instead took a more respectful stance.

”What is the matter?”

Su Zhe’s attitude evidently improved significantly after receiving the sixty taels.

”I wish to ask Brother Su to teach me painting.”

”Oh?” Su Zhe’s eyes flickered with suspicion as he looked at Chu Yu, ”Why would someone from a wealthy family like Young Master Chu be interested in painting?”

”Haha, just as Brother Su said, interest leads.” Chu Yu gestured at Wu Tian once more.

Wu Tian gave a look, and the two guards behind them presented three silver yuanbao.

Chu Yu took the silver yuanbao, saying: ”Brother Su, this is the hiring fee.”

Each silver yuanbao worth fifty taels, three of them totaling one hundred and fifty taels.

Su Qian’s eyes shifted as she looked at the three yuanbao.

Su Zhe’s gaze immediately changed but quickly calmed down.

”A hiring fee of one hundred and fifty taels, Young Master Chu is truly generous, but does the teaching fee come separately?”

”Of course separately.” Chu Yu smiled with confidence, ”I heard Brother Su usually spends time studying at Baiyuan Academy, only returning every ten days, how about this, every ten days, I’ll send someone to pick up Brother Su, fifty taels each time.”

”How does Brother Su feel about this?”

Fifty taels every ten days, amounting to one hundred and fifty taels monthly.

Su Zhe and Su Qian felt secretly tempted.

Bear in mind their Rain Paint Tower could only earn one hundred taels a month.

”Brother Su?” Chu Yu asked again.

Su Zhe glanced at Su Qian, then looked at Chu Yu: ”Does Young Master Chu have time today?”

Chu Yu paused, quickly realizing that this Baiyuan Academy Upper Academy’s Su Zhe had agreed.

”Haha, of course, I have time.”

”Great, I’ve recently gained insight in painting skills, and planned to head to the gallery, would Young Master Chu be interested?”

Upon hearing this, Su Qian’s eyes lit up, ”Brother, are you going to fill in that painting again?”

Su Zhe nodded: ”Sister, come along with me.”

”Brother, you seem very confident.”

”Quite insightful.” Su Zhe looked at Chu Yu: ”Young Master Chu, please wait outside for a moment while my sister and I tidy up.”

”Alright.”

Chu Yu retreated outside the building, Wu Tian and several guards took the three paintings and followed him out.

As for the gifted fourth painting, Chu Yu was reluctant to take it.

”Housekeeper Wu, do you think it’s worth it?” Chu Yu looked at Rain Paint Tower, his expression shifting from previous affability to current calmness.

Wu Tian paused, clasped his hands in response: ”If Young Master says it’s worth it, then it is.”

”I wasn’t referring to those three paintings.”

”The old servant understands, Young Master is referring to the person Su Zhe.”

”Then tell me, will Mother approve?” Chu Yu asked solemnly.

”She will, Young Master,” Wu Tian pondered: ”Su Zhe has no father or mother, relies on his sister Su Qian, and survives with Rain Paint Tower.”

”Continue.”

”Su Zhe was admitted to Baiyuan Academy two years ago, has now advanced to Upper Academy, currently ranked sixth, and will most likely achieve a title in the next county exam.”

Wu Tian calmly recounted, his tone devoid of any hint of emotion.